Composition and method for microbial control for use with polymers

ABSTRACT

A composition having an additive or component having an antimicrobial or a preservative property, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family is provided. A composition having a polymer, an organic acid, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family is provided as well as a method(s) of using.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/345,148, filed on May 24, 2022, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and a composition for microbial control for use with polymers, more particularly to a method and a composition using an additive or component having an antimicrobial or preservative property for microbial control for use with polymers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High-performance thermoplastics are often used in applications requiring high strength, durability, dimensional stability, and low friction.

An example of a high performance thermoplastics is acetal, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM). It has a high melting point and is susceptible to oxidation and acid hydrolysis. Another example of high performance thermoplastics is thermoplastics polyurethane (TPU). This material has a narrow processing window and also susceptible to acid hydrolysis. It is a common practice to molder to use pellet masterbatches of color, or other additives at a few percentages to create custom products. However, many high performance thermoplastics such as acetals or TPU are sensitive to acids and use of acidic additives could cause depolymerization.

Thus, there is a need for an alternative composition and method for use with high performance thermoplastics that provides microbial control yet overcomes such known processing problems and disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a composition and method for microbial control for use with polymers.

In an embodiment of the invention, a composition comprising an additive or component having an antimicrobial or a preservative property, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family is provided.

The additive or component having the antimicrobial or the preservative property is Generally-Recognized-as-Safe (GRAS). The Generally-Recognized-as-Safe (GRAS) additive or component may be selected from the group consisting of a minimum risk pesticide, a food preservative, and a combination thereof. The food preservative may be an organic acid. The organic acid can be selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, propionic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, erythorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, glycolic acid, derivatives thereof and a combination thereof. The organic acid may preferably be selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, and a combination thereof. The member of the phenylpropanoid family is selected from the group consisting of a derivative of phenyl propane, a derivative of phenyl propene, and a combination thereof. The organic acid and the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family are present in a ratio of the organic acid to the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family in a range from 1:100 to 100:1, preferably in a range from 1:10 to 10:1.

In an embodiment of the invention, a composition comprising a polymer, an organic acid, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family is provided.

The thermoplastic polymer may be selected from, but not limited to, the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), polyethylene (PE), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon, polyacrylic, polyester, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (MABS), and a combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method of use comprising adding 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family into a thermoplastic polymer thereby reducing the processing temperature of the thermoplastic polymer is provided.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method of use comprising compounding an organic acid and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family with a thermoplastic polymer to form a compounded material is provided.

The compounded material may be in a form of a masterbatch. The method may further comprise using the masterbatch to mold an article having an antimicrobial effect.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the embodiments of the present invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The following description is provided herein solely by way of example for purposes of providing an enabling disclosure of the invention, but does not limit the scope or substance of the invention.

Further, the term “or” as used in this disclosure and the appended claims is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form. Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural references, and the meaning of “in” may include “in,” “at,” and/or “on,” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

The present invention is a composition and a method for microbial control for use with polymers. The composition exhibits an antimicrobial property.

In an embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises an additive or component having an antimicrobial or preservative property, more particularly a Generally-Recognized-as-Safe (GRAS) additive or component, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family.

Examples of a GRAS additive or component include, but are not limited to, a minimum risk pesticide, a food preservative, among others.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the food preservative is an organic acid. Examples of organic acids include, but are not limited to, benzoic acid, propionic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, erythorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, glycolic acid, derivatives thereof and a combination thereof. Preferred organic acids include, but are not limited to, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, and a combination thereof.

The phenylpropanoid family of 3-phenylpropanol may include, but is not limited to, a derivative of phenyl propane, a derivative of phenyl propene, and a combination thereof. It is noted that 3-phenylpropanol and the phenylpropanoid family are organic compounds.

In an aspect of the invention, the organic acid and the 3-phenylpropanol (or a member of the phenylpropanoid family) are present in a ratio of organic acid to 3-phenylpropanol (or a member of the phenylpropanoid family) in a range from 1:100 to 100:1, preferably 1:10 to 10:1.

In an embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises a polymer, an organic acid, and 3-phenylpropanol (also known as 3-phenyl-1-propanol) or a member of the phenylpropanoid family.

The polymer is preferably a thermoplastic polymer. Examples of thermoplastic polymers include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (PP), ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), polyethylene (PE), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (POM) (also referred to as acetal), nylon, polyacrylic, polyester, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (MABS), and a combination thereof.

It has unexpectedly been found that there is a synergistic antimicrobial effect between a GRAS antimicrobial/preservative and 3-phenylpropanol. The synergistic effect allows the use of the antimicrobial at lower levels and in materials that otherwise are not feasible.

Experiments were done with benzoic acid and 3-phenylpropanol. However, a synergistic effect may also occur between the extended phenylpropanoid family of 3-phenylpropanol and benzoic acid as well as with other GRAS acid antimicrobials such as citric acid, sorbic acid, and a combination thereof.

In an aspect of the invention, benzoic acid (GBA) and 3-phenylpropanol (or a member of the phenylpropanoid family) are present in a ratio of benzoic acid (GBA) to 3-phenylpropanol (or a member of the phenylpropanoid family) in a range from 1:100 to 100:1, preferably 1:10 to 10:1.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method of using is provided. The method comprises adding 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family into a thermoplastic polymer thereby reducing a processing temperature of the thermoplastic polymer.

It has unexpectedly been found that 3-phenylpropanol aids in lowering the melt temperature of the polymer.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method of using is provided. The method comprises compounding an organic acid and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family with a thermoplastic polymer to form a compounded material. Compounding generally refers to mixing and/or blending polymer and additives in a molten state. The acid and 3-phenylpropanol (or a member of the phenylpropanoid family) combined are present in an amount of 0.01 weight % to 50 weight %, based on the weight of the total composition.

The method may further comprise using the compounded thermoplastic polymer with the acid and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family as a masterbatch in a molding process to mold an article having a resulting antimicrobial effect.

Example 1

TABLE 1 Antimicrobial efficacy of TPU with GBA against Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacteria) using ISO22196 test method. Viable organisms Average log Sample descriptions Escherichia coli reduction TPU control, replicate 1 110,000 — TPU control, replicate 2 150,000 TPU control, replicate 3 130,000 TPU with 4500 ppm GBA, replicate 1 36,000 0.9 TPU with 4500 ppm GBA, replicate 2 16,000 TPU with 4500 ppm GBA, replicate 3 8,300 TPU with 5250 ppm GBA, replicate 1 33,000 1.7 TPU with 5250 ppm GBA, replicate 2 4,500 TPU with 5250 ppm GBA, replicate 3 <100 TPU with 6000 ppm GBA, replicate 1 4,500 2.6 TPU with 6000 ppm GBA, replicate 2 <100 TPU with 6000 ppm GBA, replicate 3 <100

As demonstrated in Table 1, GBA only exhibited consistent antimicrobial efficacy (>1 log reduction) against E. coli. at 5250 ppm level in TPU.

TABLE 2 Antimicrobial efficacy of TPU with GBA and 3-phenyl propanol against Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacteria) using ISO22196 test method. Viable organisms Average log Sample descriptions Escherichia coli reduction TPU control, replicate 1 2,100,000 — TPU control, replicate 2 680,000 TPU control, replicate 3 1,500,000 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA, replicate 1 4,900,000 No reduction TPU with 2500 ppm GBA, replicate 2 2,100,000 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA, replicate 3 2,100,000 TPU with 2000 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 93,000 1.3 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 1 TPU with 2000 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 40,000 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 2 TPU with 2000 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 93,000 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 3 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 51,000 1.4 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 1 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 57,000 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 2 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 57,000 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 3

As seen in Table 2, at 2500 ppm GBA, no efficacy against E. coli was observed. However, when 3-phenyl propanol was added to the material, bringing the total additive to 4500 ppm combined, the log reduction was 1.4, more than 4500 ppm GBA alone (less than 1). This demonstrates the synergetic effect of GBA and 3-phenyl propanol in TPU.

TABLE 3 Antimicrobial efficacy of TPU with GBA and 3-phenyl propanol against Staphylococcus aureus (gram- positive bacteria) using ISO22196 test method. Viable organisms Staphylococcus Average log Sample descriptions aureus reduction TPU control, replicate 1 1,100,000 — TPU control, replicate 2 780,000 TPU control, replicate 3 780,000 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA, replicate 1 2,100,000 No reduction TPU with 2500 ppm GBA, replicate 2 1,700,000 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA, replicate 3 4,900,000 TPU with 2000 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 200 2.5 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 1 TPU with 2000 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 17,000 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 2 TPU with 2000 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm 4,500 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 3 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm <100 3.9 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 1 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm <100 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 2 TPU with 2500 ppm GBA + 2000 ppm <100 3-phenyl propanol, replicate 3

Table 3 demonstrates that in TPU, GBA alone did not exhibit antimicrobial efficacy at more than 4500 ppm while the combination of 3-phenyl propanol and GBA at 4,000 ppm did. This demonstrates the synergetic effect of GBA and 3-phenyl propanol in TPU.

Example 2

(1) Masterbatch compounding:

GBA and 3-phenylpropanol were compounded into acetal at 1:1 ratio, 5 weight % each, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the GBA, 3-phenylpropanol and polymer.

3-phenylpropanol was found to lower the processing temperature and helped stabilize the process.

(2) The masterbatch was used at 2.5% at a molder to make products with final level of GBA and 3-phenylpropanol at 1250 ppm.

TABLE 4 Antimicrobial efficacy of GBA and 3-phenylpropanol combination against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria) in acetal using ISO22196 test method. This demonstrates the synergistic effect of GBA and 3-phenyl propanol in acetal. Viable organisms Sample descriptions Escherichia coli Acetal control, replicate 1 >4,900,000 Acetal control, replicate 2 >4,900,000 Acetal control, replicate 3 >4,900,000 Acetal with 1250 ppm GBA and 1250 ppm <100 3-phenylpropanol, replicate 1 Acetal with 1250 ppm GBA and 1250 ppm <100 3-phenylpropanol, replicate 2 Acetal with 1250 ppm GBA and 1250 ppm <100 3-phenylpropanol, replicate 3

TABLE 5 Antimicrobial efficacy of GBA and 3-phenylpropanol combination against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) in acetal using ISO22196 test method. Viable organisms Staphylococcus Sample descriptions aureus Acetal control, replicate 1 1500000 Acetal control, replicate 2 2500000 Acetal control, replicate 3 3000000 Acetal with 1250 ppm GBA and 1250 ppm <100 3-phenylpropanol, replicate 1 Acetal with 1250 ppm GBA and 1250 ppm <100 3-phenylpropanol, replicate 2 Acetal with 1250 ppm GBA and 1250 ppm 8000 3-phenylpropanol, replicate 3

3-phenylpropanol is not known to be an antimicrobial. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3-phenylpropanol is 4000 ppm against Staphylococcus aureus and 3000-4000 ppm against Escherichia coli.

It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition comprising: an additive or component having an antimicrobial or a preservative property, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family.
 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the additive or component having the antimicrobial or the preservative property is Generally-Recognized-as-Safe (GRAS).
 3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the Generally-Recognized-as-Safe (GRAS) additive or component is selected from the group consisting of a minimum risk pesticide, a food preservative, and a combination thereof.
 4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the food preservative is an organic acid.
 5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, propionic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, erythorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, glycolic acid, derivatives thereof and a combination thereof.
 6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, and a combination thereof.
 7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the member of the phenylpropanoid family is selected from the group consisting of a derivative of phenyl propane, a derivative of phenyl propene, and a combination thereof.
 8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the organic acid and the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family are present in a ratio of the organic acid to the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family in a range from 1:100 to 100:1.
 9. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the organic acid and the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family are present in a ratio of the organic acid to the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family in a range from 1:10 to 10:1.
 10. A composition comprising: a polymer, an organic acid, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family.
 11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the composition is in a form of a masterbatch.
 12. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, propionic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, erythorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, glycolic acid, derivatives thereof and a combination thereof.
 13. The composition according to claim 12, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, and a combination thereof.
 14. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the member of the phenylpropanoid family is selected from the group consisting of a derivative of phenyl propane, a derivative of phenyl propene, and a combination thereof.
 15. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), polyethylene (PE), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon, polyacrylic, polyester, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (MABS), and a combination thereof.
 16. A method of use comprising: adding 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family into a thermoplastic polymer thereby reducing a processing temperature of the thermoplastic polymer.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), polyethylene (PE), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon, polyacrylic, polyester, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (MABS), and a combination thereof.
 18. A method of use comprising: compounding an organic acid and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family with a thermoplastic polymer to form a compounded material.
 19. The method of using according to claim 18, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), polyethylene (PE), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon, polyacrylic, polyester, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (MABS), and a combination thereof.
 20. The method of using according to claim 18, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, propionic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, erythorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, glycolic acid, derivatives thereof and a combination thereof.
 21. The method of using according to claim 20, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, and a combination thereof.
 22. The method of using according to claim 21, wherein the benzoic acid and the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family are present in a ratio of the organic acid to the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family in a range from 1:100 to 100:1.
 23. The method of using according to claim 22, wherein the benzoic acid and the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family are present in a ratio of the organic acid to the 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family in a range from 1:10 to 10:1.
 24. The method of using according to claim 18, wherein the compounded material is in a form of a masterbatch.
 25. The method of using according to claim 24, further comprising using the masterbatch to produce an article having an antimicrobial effect. 